Residents are unfazed by Nersa’s planned uptick in electricity tariffs, while the civil rights organisation AfriForum says it will participate in the public consultation process to prevent the implementation of an irrational power tariff increase.
This follows Eskom’s proposed increase in electricity tariff to 40% next April.
However, this proposed hike is viewed as unconstitutional and will burden already struggling ordinary residents.
A resident in Moreleta Park, Lynette Spies said the proposed hike is irrational.
“I feel it is totally outrageous, I feel like we will now have to sponsor the huge salaries and bonuses of the top-notch staff with this hike. If this is approved no one will be able to afford electricity anymore,” she said.
A resident in Elardus Park, who chose to remain anonymous said people won’t be able to afford electricity.
“My question is how will people be able to afford electricity? My kids are already struggling to keep their heads above water and they are living month-to-month.
These hikes are going to push more people to suicide, but what do they care? The people in charge get exorbitant salaries and do not feel what the general public feels with regard to financing daily living.”
Sizwe Mdlalose, a resident in Pretoria CBD, said residents will have to choose between lights and food.
“If keeping the lights on will be this expensive, it means people will have to cut out on basic needs such as food. These hikes are not being proposed looking at the interest of ordinary people. I believe that this hike should not be approved as it will cause distress to people already drowning in debts.”
AfriForum vowed to take legal action if Nersa (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) decides to reject Eskom’s application for an excessive to introduce a tariff increase.
The Tshwane metro has also rejected the proposed tariff hike mooted for April next year.
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink said the metro wrote to Nersa to strongly reject the steep electricity prices.
Nersa will have to decide on the proposed hike based on Eskom’s budget for the next financial year.
Nersa indicated recently that it had received Eskom’s application for tariff increases for the 2025/2026, 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 financial years.
Prescribed processes, including the determination of whether all the regulatory requirements have been met as well as public consultation during which the public can also express their concerns or support, will now have to be followed, according to AfriForum.
The energy regulator has repeatedly promised to carry out thorough due diligence towards Eskom to determine which parts of the power giant’s application can be excluded or transferred to the consumer.
AfriForum urges Nersa to live up to these promises for the sake of the end consumer.
“AfriForum has been participating in this tariff process for the past eight years and we will continue to participate in these processes to ensure that the energy sector complies with the legislative framework,” said Morné Mostert, manager of Local Government Affairs at AfriForum.
Mostert said AfriForum will not allow Eskom or Nersa to trample power consumers with unfair tariff increases and will constantly participate in the process to ensure that action is taken in the interests of consumers.
“AfriForum has proven in the past that it will not tolerate unfair power tariff increases, such as those recently implemented by numerous municipalities after they were approved as such by Nersa.”
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink said the metro wrote to Nersa to strongly reject the steep electricity prices.
Nersa will have to decide on the proposed hike based on the Eskom budget for the next financial year.
Brink said households are already under pressure and the economy has not been growing in part because there hasn’t been electricity availability.
“Households sometimes have to choose between buying food and other household necessities and paying the utility bills.”
Brink said there’s an affordability crisis in this country.
“As the city we have done our best to act against illegal connections, to go after folks who can pay but don’t pay.”
Brink said the proposed tariffs will hit hard on residents who are already struggling.
“If this super inflationary increase is granted by Nersa or anything close to it, that will put our consumers, our households – even working men and women – under incredible pressure.”
Brink said he will not back down from this fight.
The DA has taken to the parliamentary stage in a bid to challenge Nersa’s and Eskom’s decision to raise tariffs in an attempt to recoup lost revenue, an action the DA believes places an unjust burden on consumers.
The DA said this “make-up tariff” stands as a potent symbol of Eskom’s deficient management. It has thrust dire consequences upon the shoulders of the South African people, who now find themselves in the perilous position of having to bear the brunt of an energy provider’s failings.
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